Folding service tray for automobile glove compartments



April 8, 1952 M. w. HENDERSON I 2,592,032

FOLDING SERVICE TRAY FOR AUTOMOBILE GLOVE COMPARTMENTS Filed July 28, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET l I 4 la 0 flifljfineieraran INVENTOR 1 BY 1 I I 1 ATTORNEYS.

April 8, 1952 M. w. HENDERSON 2,592,032

FOLDING SERVICE TRAY FOR AUTOMOBILE GLOVE COMPARTMENTS Filed July 28, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 111. mendenmon INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 8, 1952 ENT' OFFICE FOLDING SERVICE TRAY FOR AUTOMOBILE GLOVE COMPARTMENTS Minnis W. Hendersoni filuefield, W. Va.

1950, Serial N0. 176,477

' Application July 28,

This invention relates to a serving tray designed for use in connection with motor vehicles, the primary object of the invention being to provide a serving tray which may be folded into a small and compact article, and of a size which may be swung into or out of the usual glove compartment of a motor vehicle, to meet the requirements of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a serving tray which may be extended from the glove compartment, and will present a strong and durable structure for supporting glasses, dishes containing foods or the like, while the foods are being consumed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a tray or shelf which may be readily and easily secured within the usual glove compartment of a motor vehicle, without the necessity of making alterations in the construction of the vehicle to install the tray.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a serving tray, constructed in accordance with the invention as swung to its outer position for use.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an edge elevational view of the serving tray.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective view with parts thereof broken away, illustrating the sliding bolt structure used in holding the sections of the serving tray, extended.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating one section of the tray folded rearwardly, as the first step in folding the tray for positioning within the glove compartment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the second position of the tray sections in folding the tray.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the sections of the tray as folded, and in condition for Swinging the tray into the glove compartment.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the reference character 5 indicates the conventional glove compartment of a motor vehicle in which the serving tray, forming the subject matter of the 1 (llaim.- (01. 311-21 2 present invention is mounted for swinging movement into or out of the compartment.

The tray comprises a supporting arm 6 which is in the form of a rod having a flattened upper surface 1 so that the main section 8 of the tray, may be firmly secured to the supporting arm, by means of the screws 9.

The tray also embodies sections [0, II, and I2, the sections 8 and I2 being connected by means of the hinges l3, which are secured to the upper surfaces of the sections 8 and I2, while the sections I I and I2 are secured together by means of hinges I4 secured to the under sides of the sections II and I2. The sections I0 and II are secured together by means of hinges l5 that are secured to the upper surfaces of the sections I0 and II, along the adjacent edges thereof, the

hinges being secured to the sections 10 and II by means of the screws it. The section 8 is provided with a bore extending inwardly from one edge thereof for the reception of the sliding bolt H, which sliding bolt is adapted to move into the bore 18 formed in the section I0, to connect the sections 8 and ID tohold them in their extended positions.

The section i2 is provided with a bore l8 extending inwardly from one edge thereof in which the sliding bolt i8 is housed, the sliding bolt be ing designed to extend into the keeper opening l9 to hold the sections II and [2, extended.

Each sliding bolt is formed with a knob 20 by means of which the sliding bolt may be readily manipulated.

The supporting arm 6 ha a right angled end portion 2| that fits in the socket 22 forming a part of the plate 23, which plate is secured within the glove compartment of a motor vehicle, as by means of screws 24. This structure assumes a free swinging movement of the supporting arm 6.

When it is desired to extend the serving tray for use, the glove compartment is opened and the tray in its folded condition swung outwardly therefrom.

The sections of the tray are folded from the position as shown by Fig. 7 to the position as shown by Fig. 6, whereupon the sections l0 and II are swung upwardly to the positions shown by Fig. 5, from which position the section [0 is pivoted laterally to a position in a line with the section 8. The sliding bolts may now be operated to hold the sections of the tray in their extended positions, so that the plates containing articles of food may be supported thereon for the convenience of the occupants of the motor vehicle.

It will be seen that when the tray is out of use it will be concealed in the glove compartment protecting the tray against dust or other foreign matter.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A folding serving tray for positioning in a glove compartment of a motor vehicle, comprising a supporting arm, a plurality of hingedly connected tray sections, one of said sections being connected to said arm, said sections to fold one upon another providing a compact article, means forsecuring the tray sections in an extended position for supporting articles thereon, and means, for pivotally mounting the supporting arm within the glove compartment.

MINNIS W. HENDERSON.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 167,924 Orgill Sept. 21, 1875 309,738 Pell Dec. 23, 1884 609,592 Schultz Aug. 23, 1898 927,773 Buel July 13, 1909 1,870,109 Goforth Aug. 2, 1932 2,211,199 Corken Aug. 13, 1940 2,270,948v Howe Jan. 27, 1942 2,275,060 Grifiin Mar. 3, 1942 2,292,292 Romeyn Aug. 4, 1942 2,398,639 Bureau Apr. 16, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 593,755 France Oct. 3, 1925 

